Justice Project SA (JPSA) has distanced itself from e-toll hoax messages that have been doing the rounds - and gone viral - since e-tolling went live in Gauteng on 3 December.
The messages have been distributed via e-mail, social networking platforms and instant messaging, and go along the lines of: "Hi friends - add the number below as one of your contacts on your cellphone. The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral), with assistance of the Metro Police, is setting up illegal roadblocks, forcing people to register for e-tags. For the e-toll system to work Sanral needs 78% compliance. On Tuesday, of the 900 000 cases of vehicles passing through the William Nicol plaza, only 1 300 cars were e-tag registered.
"Don't be scared, they can't force you to do anything. If you do get pulled over in a roadblock as described above, please call JPSA on 087 809 0399. Alert them of the roadblock and they will send some personnel to shut the roadblock down. If you can't reach them, send an SMS to 081 218 1368 detailing your problem. Please forward to assist others as well."
JPSA has condemned the authors of the messages, referring to them as "morons". The organisation says, with sufficient factual reasons why e-tolling is flawed, it is unnecessary to make things up, "which is exactly what these bright sparks have done".
Set straight
JPSA says it is true it previously provided its voice over IP (VOIP) number for motorists to call should they be stopped and fined for not having an e-tag.
However, says JPSA, the viral hoax has now effectively rendered its VOIP line unusable for incoming calls. JPSA appeals to people not to buy into or share the hoax messages and says it will take the appropriate action in the event of a genuine complaint relating to e-toll misdemeanours.
"We do not wish to discount the possibility that motorists may be stopped and intimidated for anything that is e-toll-related. To do so would be na"ive and totally unrealistic; however, we also do not wish to be used as a vehicle to spread malicious and untrue rumours."
JPSA says it will respond to messages to its SMS line if motorists are stopped and threatened by Sanral officials. "However, we will not respond to messages asking for advice on e-tolls.
"Contrary to what the hoax messages say, we will not 'send some personnel to shut the roadblock down'. We will, however, speak to the affected person on the phone and de-escalate the problem. Additionally, we have direct communications with various law enforcement entities, among whom are high-ranking officers. If a genuine report comes in and we can verify the details to our satisfaction, we will do everything we can to make sure that the matter is addressed effectively."
Share